Issue 3

Apr 3

Welcome to the third issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for fired or RIF’d CDC staff members. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources. When you signed up, you had an opportunity to ask burning questions. We continue to work to address those questions in this and upcoming issues of this newsletter.

If you have Gmail, this email will likely be clipped. Make sure you click "view entire message" at the bottom of the email so you don't miss important information. To download a PDF of the newsletter, click here.

Reduction in Force (RIF) Update

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, approximately 2,400 RIF notices were sent to CDC employees beginning as early as 5:00 a.m. ET. Based on information gathered on Tuesday afternoon, the notices have affected at least 17 Centers, Institutes, and Offices (CIOs). For an updated list of CDC CIOs affected by the RIF, visit this tracker.

AFGE Local 2883 will send comprehensive guidance about responding to your RIF notification within the next 24 hours. Shortly thereafter, this guidance will be posted on the Fired But Fighting website.

Resources

General Resources

» Webinar: The "F" Bomb for Federal Employees: "You're Fired!"

» Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions

» Find Help GA

» Curated resources for recently separated employees

Reduction in Force (RIF) Resources

» How to file an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

» Reduction in Force Training Series

» RIF Kit

» Points of Contact for Fired CDC (HRO, ITSO, OSC, etc.)

» Filing for unemployment

Find these and additional resources on Fired But Fighting’s resources page.

For Probationary Employees

Latest Judicial Updates

There have been several developments related to the Maryland and California cases. Judge Bredar, the judge in the Maryland case, has ordered the rescission of termination notices for employees in plaintiff states (e.g., covered employees must be reinstated). However, he declined to rescind the termination of employees in non-plaintiff states, including Georgia. Judge Alsup, the judge in the California case, is considering whether to extend his injunction (reinstatement of employees) to include HHS. Click here for further details and FAQ.

James Hoffman Class Action Update

Fired But Fighting contacted James & Hoffman to get an update on the class action suit on behalf of terminated probationary employees. They said the best place to look for answers to FAQs is their website, as they share updates more regularly there than via email. However, they answered specific questions, including, “Who is covered?” “What are the next steps?” and “What if I raise my own claim?” Click here to view responses.

Events

Sign Making—Join us on April 5th at Refuge Coffee Midtown at 11 a.m. to make signs for the Hands Off! Georgia Fights Back protest. Some supplies will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring poster board/cardboard and markers of your own. We will walk together to the official starting point of the protest around 12 p.m. so that we can collectively march.

Hands Off! Georgia Fights Back—On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! CDC staff and allies will meet at 12:15 at 12th and Piedmont. At 12:30, we'll join the larger group. We'll begin marching at 1:00, and rally at the Capitol at 2:30.

Post-Protest (Un)Happy Hour—April 5th, join us at 5:30 pm, after the Hands Off! GA Fights Back protest for an (Un)Happy Hour at Sweetwater Brewing. This event is open to current and former CDC employees, as well as friends and family!

Check out www.firedbutfighting.com/events for upcoming events.

Calls to Action

Follow Us on Social Media—We started Bluesky and Instagram accounts on Tuesday. The Bluesky account already has over 2,600 followers! Make sure you follow us too.

National Public Health Week—National Public Health Week is April 7-13, 2025. In honor of this week, we’re aiming to tell the public and our representatives why public health work is vital and worthwhile. If you are interested in sharing about the important work you were doing at CDC as a way to honor this week, please complete this survey.

Join the New LinkedIn Job Board—On March 26, we launched a new LinkedIn job board for terminated or RIF’d employees, Opportunities for Former CDC Staff, and already have over 1,100 members. Dr. Cohen and other high-profile people and organizations are helping to reach potential employers. Make sure you join the group and share the link with others. If you have trouble finding the group, search for Opportunities for Former CDC Staff.

BU 7777 Employees—Sign the petition to join the union! The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) has approved the inclusion of remote employees (coded as 7777 OR incorrectly coded as 8888) in job series that are already in the Bargaining Unit (BU). We must keep pushing to get everyone covered.

HHS Impacts Survey—A team of former HHS employees from the Biden/Harris Administration is collecting firsthand information about the impacts of cuts to HHS agencies, including mass firings and actions that push people out of public service, and pay stoppages to contractors and grantees. The goal is to document the impacts of these cuts on HHS programs and the American people. The survey is end-to-end encrypted. Learn more and complete the survey here.

Union Corner

Please join us for the next AFGE Local 2883 Monthly Union Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, 04/08/2025 at 12:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. In this meeting we will provide important updates regarding the RIF Notices, Probationary Terminations, Updates on Job Series Bargaining Unit Petitions, and have a Q&A session to help answer any questions or concerns. We will also have some special guests on the call to provide important resources available to current and terminated CDC workers. Please join us if you can! Meeting ID: 210 645 102 25 | Passcode: Uo2Fn7WH

In Solidarity,
AFGE Executive Board
Visit www.afge.org to learn more about us!
Join us today: https://join.afge.org/L2883

Quick Tips

The Hatch Act Cheat Sheet—We’ve received many questions about the Hatch Act, so we put together a cheat sheet with examples of what is and isn’t allowed. You can download it here.

ree Virtual Support Group—Reclaim ATL is waiving fees for an 8-week virtual support group for individuals affected by terminations and RIFs called Finding Calm in the Storm: A Support Group for Those Affected by Federal Funding Cuts. For more information, email Tricia Anbinder, LCSW, at info@reclaimatl.com.